The Quidditch frenzy at Hogwarts showed no sign of waning. The library's Quidditch books were all checked out, with a waitlist stretching until after Christmas.
"If I'd known, I would've come sooner," Harry muttered in frustration as he stood at the second-floor library entrance. Tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. was his special training session, and he'd hoped to study up beforehand. But Madam Pince, the librarian, informed him there were no more Quidditch books available and that he'd need to wait until after the holidays.
"Nothing we can do about it," Ron said with a shrug. "Quidditch is all anyone's talking about right now. If you're clueless about it, people will make fun of you." He grinned, feeling proud. His own popularity had soared recently, thanks to his Quidditch knowledge and his two brothers on the Gryffindor team. Everywhere he went, younger students flocked to him for his insights—a new, exhilarating experience.
"What if we ask Hermione?" Harry suggested cautiously. "She borrowed Quidditch Through the Ages once... maybe she hasn't returned it yet."
At the mention of Hermione, Ron's grin instantly faded. His face fell, and he frowned. "I don't think so, Harry. She hasn't said a word to us since that day we came back from the fourth floor. And everyone knows Hermione never keeps a library book for more than three days."
Harry remembered now—Hermione was indeed that way. Since the start of term, she always carried two books: her class textbook and one borrowed from the library. She wasn't one to just lug books around; she read them too. She rarely socialized in the common room, often sitting alone in a corner with her nose in a book. Somehow, it had become common knowledge in Gryffindor that she exchanged her library books every three days.
Seamus Finnigan had even bet the two of them that she wouldn't keep it up for a month. Judging by things now, though, he was likely to lose that bet. If she borrowed another book tomorrow, Seamus would owe everyone in the dorm a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.
Harry didn't mind the sweets, but he couldn't quite grasp how Hermione managed to finish a book in only two or three days. For him, even finishing one in two weeks felt like a struggle.
"Forget it," Harry sighed. He didn't really want to face Hermione, either. The quiet authority of her academic reputation always made him uneasy.
"Why not ask Kyle?" Ron suggested suddenly. "I heard Fred and George mention he has a collection of Quidditch books—more than one, even."
Harry was intrigued but hesitant. "But I don't know Kyle. Do you think he'd actually lend me a book?"
"Don't worry, I'll handle it," Ron assured him, clapping a hand on his shoulder. Taking Harry's arm, he started down the stairs. "You won't know unless you try... Come on, let's go find him."
The two of them searched every corner of the castle, from the underground classrooms to the Astronomy Tower, but Kyle was nowhere to be found. Even the twins and Cedric seemed to have vanished.
Finally, while scanning the Astronomy Tower, Harry glanced out the window and spotted the group down by the Black Lake, fishing.
"So, you're looking to borrow a Quidditch book?" Kyle asked, glancing at the panting pair who'd just arrived by the Black Lake. "Isn't there one in the library? Their collection's way more extensive than mine. You could just borrow it there."
"It's already been borrowed," Harry replied, catching his breath and feeling a bit nervous. "Madam Pince said nothing would be available until after Christmas."
On the way over, Ron had offered to do the asking, but Harry thought it best to make the request himself—after all, he was the one who needed the book, not Ron.
"Quidditch books are that popular these days?" Kyle said, noting Harry's anxious expression. Without another word, he took out his wand and cast, "Accio Book of Quidditch Origins!"
In moments, a hefty book flew through the air, landing lightly in Kyle's hand.
"Here, you can start with this one," Kyle said, holding out the book. "It has some flying instructions included—better suited for someone new, like you."
"Thanks," Harry said gratefully, taking the book. "I'll bring it back as soon as I can."
Kyle waved him off. "No rush. I don't need it at the moment, so take your time."
After thanking Kyle again, Harry and Ron headed back to the castle.
As they walked away, Kyle turned to Fred and George, who were sitting beside him, looking unusually subdued. "What's up with you two?"
When Ron greeted them earlier, the twins hadn't even turned around—something uncharacteristic for them. Although they loved teasing Ron, they'd never outright ignored him; at the very least, they'd usually give him some kind of response.
"It's nothing. We just don't feel like talking to him," Fred replied with a sigh.
"We always thought Ron was a bit dense, but we didn't think he was this dense," George added, shaking his head.
"What do you mean..." Kyle raised an eyebrow, sensing there might be a story behind this.
"Remember the last time we ran into them on the fourth floor?" George asked.
Kyle nodded; he did remember. He'd even seen them there himself.
"Well, we asked around," Fred said. "Turns out they went there because they'd agreed to a wizard's duel with Malfoy."
"A wizard's duel?" Cedric, who'd been listening, looked surprised. "Slytherins don't throw those around lightly. Sounds like a trap."
"Exactly." George sighed. "Curfew time, on the fourth floor where they're bound to be spotted—a wizard's duel? Add it all up, and even a garden gnome would see it's a setup."
"But Ron actually fell for it..." Fred shook his head. "Merlin, is he even a real Weasley?"
Cedric opened his mouth, as though to say something in Ron's defense, but no words came out. With Charlie, Percy, and the twins all being clever in their own ways, Ron did look rather dim by comparison.
"He takes the bait like it's nothing," Fred said, waving his hand dismissively. "Honestly, he's not even as sharp as the fish in the Black Lake!"